Republica Restaurant Rooftop & Lounge — Restaurant in New York

I visited this restaurant with my family last weekend, and I did not have a good experience. Like many Dominican restaurants of this style, customers are frisked by a security guard. This was not a good indication for me. The security guard frisking people at the entrance did not have a good demeanor. He had ripped jeans, disheveled hair, dirty sneakers, and the attitude of a cop having a bad day. I mentioned being frisked, and he said I should feel safe because I was being frisked. The Dominican mentality is that if they frisk you, you should feel secure. I disagree wholeheartedly. If management is frisking customers, it is because they expect some of them to be troublemakers. I am Dominican, so I can criticize my own culture. Later, I noticed there were about five security guards throughout the premises. The security guards were constantly watching the customers, as if they were expecting anyone to become violent. I felt very uncomfortable. After about 9 p.m., the security guards began restricting customer movement. We were sitting on the rooftop, and the security guards did not allow customers to leave through the main entrance; they had to use the back door. I am not familiar with the New York nightlife, so this type of business practice may be common in the Dominican Restaurants. At one point, my wife and teenage daughter were taking pictures on the first floor when we were approached by a security guard who told us we could not be there for that long, taking photos. After 9 p.m., the first floor becomes a lounge, and it is limited to guests. Although it was mostly empty. I had spent over $500 that night, and I found it frustrating that we were not allowed to leave through the front door or move freely through the premises. There was a group of skimpily clad ladies on the first floor who appeared to be cocktail waitresses or part of the serving crew. There was also a famous influencer taking pictures with her friends in the bathroom and in the hallway adjacent to it. I could tell that the security guards were not restricting her or her crew's movement. Music was blasting because, of course, it would not be a Dominican restaurant without the loud noise piercing your eardrums. This is to the point that you can't hear the person next to you talking. The food was decent, but, of course, expensive and served in small portions. The presentation of the food was very nice. I was there for a birthday party, and they brought out this beautiful small cake with a candle inside this ice-made sculpture. There was a cocktail called the "El Perfume," which came in an elaborate metal-like arrangement with an old-fashioned perfume bottle on the side. According to the menu on the restaurant website, it lists Ketel One Peach Orange Blossom Vodka, Chinola Liqueur, and lychee juice. In short, I'll not...

Honestly speaking 10/10 I don’t recommend!!! I booked a reservation for a party of 20 for my birthday weekend 2 weeks in advance, I even called the day of just to sure everything was as planned . My reservation was for the lounge at 11! I was initially told ladies were free till 12am and cover charge for men all night . That was not an issue ! When we arrived there was a long line (as expected) at 11:06 doors closed and we were told they were at full capacity … I spoke with the security and a lady who seemed to be managing the floor that night she pulled up my reservation and it was for a party of 15 not 20 … then she left us outside and said she was checking to see if my section was available. As we’re waiting they allowed a group who just arrived because he knew the bouncer . Thankfully the security outside spoke up and let us in . The security inside then closed the door and refused to let my other half of the party In… we finally got in at 11:50 they tell us woman have to pay entry I explained how it not 12 yet the man with an arts aid so what your here now… as I proceeded to leave with half of my party the security decided to let the other half of my party in and told us to go up …. We finally make it completely inside the lounge and I ask for my section the young lady pulls up the chart I see my name and section as we turn to my section theirs already a group their ! She went to speak with some man and he said theirs nothing I can do with an attitude… she then gives us 1 table for 15 people … this is not what I reserved ….. I also got the 6 bottle package she proceeded to tell me that they’re not doing anymore bottle packages but that she’ll ask bc I did have a reservation .. she came back saying I could get the package but it would be 200 more than the original price …. We ended up putting aside all the BS & just the night it was great vibes and music but overall bad management they need a new team because this was a horrible experience clearly a reservation means nothing at all to them and prices for everything changes when they feel like it … so yeah brunch is a vibe but the lounge is a hot mess !!! Not worth it go...

I'm giving it a 4 because the manager Jose saved them from a horrible review. If you are handicap this isn't the place for you no elevator..."Just a heads up". When you walk in the security is very rude..... but by the time I left he was singing a different tune. The ambiance is super nice throughout. You have to walk up to the top floor which wasn't bad at all. The sofas are a little worn. I had to use one of the throw pillows to keep me from sinking in. Not a big deal. So we ordered drinks of the happy hour menu which were AMAZING. Best margarita I've had in a long time. Next we ordered food..... We decided to only order apps because no one was really that hungry. So...... we ordered one of everything. It's finger food so it shouldn't take that long🤦🏾‍♀️ 30 minutes goes by and now we are on our second round of drinks and STILL WAITING. After a year later it finally comes out and everything was COLD. We just delt with it because we already waited a year for it. Despite it all being ICE COLD, it tasted good. I'm sure it would have been really delicious had it been hot. Afterwards I decided I wanted fries. That took 20 minutes🤦🏾‍♀️ the portion size I received it should have taken 3 minutes. At this point I'm ready to GO and highly aggravatedwith the beyond SLOW! Getting the bill took forever and getting my card back was like eternity..... I just wanna go please get my card sir!!!!!! So..... the manager is walking by and asked is everything ok. I had no choice but to give a honest review. I'm like it's my birthday and you guys are about to ruin it. So to right a wrong, he offered a complimentary shot and gave his sincere apologies. Also he took the criticism in well and cleaned it up perfectly. THAT'S AN AWESOME BOSS. His delivery and ending outcome will make me go back and give them another shot. Thank you Jose for righting a WRONG.

THERE IS NO REASON A KITCHEN SHOULD BE HORRIBLY SLOW WITH...